Hydraulic apparatus

ABSTRACT

Tool or adaptor for receiving a tool for securing in a mounting head, including a fork-shaped mounting lug which projects in the direction of displacement and has an enlarged retaining opening starting from a smaller insertion opening.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/448,187, filed Nov. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,542.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates first of all to a hydraulic apparatus, for examplefor pressing or cutting workpieces, with a mounting head for tools whichcan be moved against one another.

An apparatus of this kind is known, for example, from German PatentApplication 198 25 160, which corresponds to U.S. application. Ser. No.09/319,908, Aug. 10, 1999. The content of this patent application ishereby incorporated as to its full content into the disclosure of thepresent invention.

With regard to the prior art described above, one technical problem forthe invention is seen in improving the construction of a hydraulicapparatus of the type under discussion, particularly as regards itstechnical functioning.

SUMMARY

This problem is solved first and foremost by the fact that the tools canbe arranged in the mounting head in a manner laterally offset from oneanother in order, in the case of cutting tools, to allow them to movepast one another. As a result of th is configuration, there is providedincreased utility value for the hydraulic apparatus, especially whenusing cutting tools. In the case of a cutting operation, a movablecutting tool is displaced at least until its cutting edge moves behindthe cutting edge associated with the fixed tool. This makes it possibleto cut workpieces, such as solid or hollow sectional bars, to lengthcleanly and without burrs. The fact that the cutting tools can be movedpast one another leads to a shearing division of the workpiece. Thelaterally offset arrangement of the tools relative to one another in themounting head is furthermore also conceivable in the case of tools forpressing workpieces. The arrangement chosen also makes it possible toinsert in the mounting head tools for other non-cutting operations onworkpieces, bending tools for example. In a first embodiment, the toolsare guided in grooves formed next to one another. In this regard, it ispossible for a groove to be associated with each tool. However, it isfurthermore also conceivable, given the formation of two groovesarranged next to one another, to associate these two tools in such a waythat they are guided in common grooves formed beside one another. As afurther embodiment of the subject matter of the invention, it isprovided that the tools are guided in a common groove with additionalsupport on opposite outer surfaces of groove walls. Irrespective of thenumber of grooves, they run in the direction of displacement of the toolor tools in the mounting head. Where the tools are arranged in a commongroove, each tool preferably also engages over the associated groovewall bounding the groove to provide additional support against the outersurface of the groove wall. Metaphorically speaking, the construction ischosen in such a way that the workpiece, the groove and the groove wallof the mounting head forms a guide rail for the tool in the form of atongue. Provision is furthermore made for grooves or guide structuresfor the tools to extend in the direction of displacement and to beprovided on both sides of the tools, in order to provide tilt-freeguidance of the tools. Where the tools are arranged in a common groove,the tool section sliding in the groove preferably corresponds to no morethan half the width of the groove, so that both tools may be moved fullypast one another. In another embodiment, it may be provided that thetools are guided in a common groove and interpenetrate one another.Accordingly, the tools are shaped in such a way that in particular theoperative regions of the tools, for example the cutting edges of cuttingtools, can enter into the region of the other tool. Thus, for example,provision is made for the tools to have guiding sections in the form oftongues for guidance in the common groove only in the end regions whichare directed away from each other. These guiding sections extend overthe entire width of the groove, whereas the actual operative regionpreferably corresponds to half the width of the groove, to allow theoperative regions of the tools to move past one another. In anadvantageous development of the subject matter of the invention, it isprovided that the mounting head is formed as a closable rectangularguide. In this way, on the one hand, insertion of the various tools isfacilitated, and, on the other hand, by means of the opened rectangularguide, the apparatus can be placed against the workpiece to be pressedor cut. This is of advantage, particularly in the case of very longworkpieces or those in locations to which it is difficult to gainaccess. After it has been placed against them, the mounting head formedas a rectangular guide is closed, after which, as a further feature ofthe subject matter of the invention, the displaceable tool is acted uponin the rearward direction by a ram which can be actuated by means of thehydraulic apparatus. After the rectangular guide is closed, thedirection of displacement of the movable tool runs in extension of thedirection of displacement of the ram. The movement concerned ispreferably a linear displacement of the ram and of the displaceable tooltowards a fixed tool. Where the mounting head is formed as a rectangularguide, the longer side of the rectangle is aligned in the direction ofdisplacement, at least in the closed position of the mounting head. Aquadratic shape of the mounting head when viewed transversely to thedirection of displacement of the tools is furthermore also conceivable.It is also possible to conceive of arrangements of the mounting head inwhich the displacement of the tools is effected in a nonlinear manner,for example in the form of a cam-guided displacement. In the preferredconfiguration of the mounting head as a rectangular guide, provision ismade for the rectangular guide to be of three-piece construction, onepiece being provided as an angled piece which encloses one longitudinalside, one piece being provided as a narrow-side piece and one piecebeing provided as a longitudinal-side piece. In this regard, it isfurthermore preferred for the narrow-side piece to provide joints ateach of its ends for the angled piece and for the longitudinal-sidepiece. It is proposed here that the narrow-side piece be provided in theregion that can be associated with the apparatus. The narrow-side piececan furthermore be provided in the form of two lug-like plates whichenclose end regions of the angled piece and of the longitudinal-sidepiece between them, the ram which can be moved by the hydraulicapparatus entering the guide space of the mounting head in theintermediate space provided between these plates. As a development ofthe subject matter of the invention, provision is made for the angledpiece to provide a portion of a longitudinal side which overlaps withthe longitudinal-side piece. As a consequence of this, the angled pieceis formed to be substantially U-shaped in a side view transverse to thedirection of displacement, with one U limb forming a longitudinal sidewhich is arranged to be shorter than the other U limb, the free end ofthe other U-limb being provided with a bearing feature to allow pivotingdisplacement of the angled piece in the region of the narrow-side piece.In the closed position of the mounting head or rectangular guide, theshorter U limb coincides with the longitudinal-side piece, which islikewise mounted in a pivoting manner on the narrow-side piece, thisposition preferably furthermore being secured by positive locking. Thus,for example, one longitudinal side of the angled piece can have an upperprojection which is provided with an undercut and enters into acorrespondingly formed groove in the longitudinal-side piece. Thepieces—angled piece and longitudinal-side piece—which are subject tospring-loading in the opening direction, are held in the closed positionby the selected undercut. This position can only be released bydeliberate action. To fix the tools in the mounting head, securing meansfor securing a tool in the mounting head are provided, in each caseopposite one another, on the narrow-side piece of the mounting head. Aconfiguration is preferred here in which a securing means is provided onthe ram side for the tool to be acted upon by the ram and thusdisplaced, and a further fixing means for a fixed tool is, on the otherhand, provided in the region of the U-limb of the angled piece whichsimultaneously forms a narrow-side piece. A configuration which ispreferred here is one in which the securing means is formed as apositive locking pin which can be displaced transversely to thedirection of motion of the tools. This is furthermore preferably in theform of a pin which has zones of reduced diameter in a longitudinaldirection and is biassed by a spring in the direction ofpositive-locking engagement. Provision can furthermore be made for thispositive-locking pin to be formed and arranged in such a way that byusing it, there can be effected both fixing of the associatable tool toone or the other side of the narrow-side piece or of the ram and,furthermore, fixing of it on both sides at the same time.

The invention furthermore relates to a hydraulic apparatus, for examplefor pressing or cutting workpieces for instance, with a mounting headfor tools which can be moved against one another, both cutting andpressing tools being disposable in the mounting head. As an advantageousdevelopment of the subject matter of the invention, it is proposed herethat force-dependent control of the apparatus is effected both during acutting operation and during a pressing operation. As a consequence ofthis, its operation is not dependent on the drive path of the ram or ofthe tool that can be displaced by the ram. As a consequence, varioustools with various displacements can be inserted and used in anextremely simple manner.

The invention furthermore relates to a tool or adaptor for receiving atool for securing in a mounting head. For advantageous development of atool or adaptor of this kind, a fork-shaped mounting lug projecting inthe direction of displacement is here proposed which has an enlargedretaining opening starting from a smaller insertion opening. Thisretaining opening, which preferably cooperates with a positive-lockingpin of the mounting head, serves to fix the tool in the mounting head,thus for example to locate the tool on the mounting head as a fixed toolor to locate a tool on a ram projecting into the mounting head to form adisplaceable tool. The positive-locking pin cooperating with themounting lug has a region of reduced cross section in the longitudinaldirection of the pin, the diameter of which corresponds approximately tothat of the smaller insertion opening of the mounting lug. To fix theworkpiece, the positive-locking pin is displaced in such a way that theregion of reduced cross section can be traversed by the smallerinsertion opening of the mounting lug for final entry of thepositive-locking pin into the enlarged retaining opening. Thepositive-locking pin is displaced back into the original position,preferably with spring assistance, positive engagement being effectedbetween the pin area of enlarged cross section and the enlargedretaining opening. As a further embodiment of the subject matter of theinvention, provision is made for the mounting lug to be arrangedrelative to the tool or to the adaptor so as to project transversely tothe direction of displacement. As a result of this, there is providedincreased width of the mounting lug. In this regard, the mounting lugcan be provided as a separate part which is, for example, rivetted tothe tool. As an alternative, the construction can also be chosen in sucha way that the mounting lug is formed to be aligned with the outersurface of the tool or of the adaptor. According to this, it ispreferred that the mounting lug be formed integrally with the tool. Thetool and the adaptor have means for guiding them in the mounting head.In regard to a plan view of these guide means, the mounting lugpreferably extends to the side of the guide means and with a paralleloffset relative to the means. It is furthermore proposed that twooppositely-located mounting lugs be provided. According to this, thetools grip over the associated sections of the mounting head in theregion of their mounting lugs. As regards the guide structures, it isproposed that the tool or the adaptor have one or, optionally, twotongues located beside one another and extending in the direction ofdisplacement of the tool or of the adaptor, these tongues resting in oneor, if appropriate, two mutually adjacent grooves in the mounting headto form a tongue-and-groove arrangement. As a development of the subjectmatter of the invention, provision is made for the tool or the adaptorto have a tool working width which is less than the tongue width. Thus,for example, the tool working width can correspond approximately to halfthe tongue width, and it is furthermore preferred that the workingsection of the tool be aligned on one side with a tongue outer surfaceand thus extend approximately as far as the center of the tongue in thewidth direction. As an alternative, the arrangement can also be chosenin such a way that the tool working width is adapted to approximatelycorrespond to the tongue width. It is furthermore proposed that thetongue extend over only part of the length of the tool or of theadaptor, for example over half the length of the tool as viewed in thedirection of displacement of the tool. Provision can furthermore be madefor the adaptor to have a projecting shoulder on both sides of thetongue. The tool accordingly has a total width which extends beyond thewidth of the tongue and the tool is thus supported in the mounting headin the region of the projecting shoulder on the groove flanks, whichreceive the tongue between them. As an alternative, it is also possiblefor the side face of the adaptor to be aligned with the side face of thetongue. The adaptor according to the invention is furthermore formed insuch a way that it allows conventional pressing tools—pressing jaws—tobe inserted. Thus, for example, positive-locking openings can beprovided for the purpose of fixing the tool on the adaptor. This can befor example a kind of catch coupling. A tongue-and-groove connectionbetween tool and adaptor is furthermore also conceivable, the alignmentof this groove and tongue preferably being transverse to the directionof displacement. The tool can furthermore be held in the adaptor bylatching means, which latching means can be displaced to release thetool only by deliberate action. As regards the fixing of the tool in theadaptor, combinations of the configurations described above can also beused. In this regard, it is furthermore proposed that the securing lugbe provided on the tool and that the securing lug engage over theadaptor. The adaptor itself is accordingly not provided with securinglugs and thus serves purely as a guide means in the mounting head. Thetool provided with the securing lug, preferably two securing lugs, gripsover the adaptor to give positive-locking engagement with the securingmeans of the mounting head. The tool according to the invention or thetool held by means of the adaptor preferably acts within the mountinghead of the apparatus, i.e. the tool working regions, such as cuttingedges or pressing jaws, act within the mounting head. As an alternative,however, provision is also made for the tools or tool working regions tooperate outside the mounting head, thus for example in the form of atool of the bolt-cutter type. Here, the only tool members which aredisplaced within the mounting head are those whose displacement istransmitted for example by a lever arrangement, to cutting or pressingjaws arranged offset relative to the mounting head. Such a configurationcan furthermore also be used for punching, for example punching sheetmetal. As a consequence, operations may in this way also be performed ina targeted manner without having to open the mounting head, particularlyin the case of relatively long workpieces, in order to grasp theworkpieces.

The invention furthermore relates to a pair of tools for insertion in amounting head of a hydraulic apparatus. Here, an advantageousdevelopment of the pair of tools according to the invention is providedby cut-outs formed identically in both tools and corresponding to aprofile cross section. Such a pair of tools is used, for example, forcutting to length profile stock pieces made, for example, of plastics oraluminium, the cut-outs in the two tools being provided to correspond tothe profile cross section of the stock to be cut. In an initial positionof the apparatus holding the pair of tools, the cut-outs coincide. Theprofile stock is then pushed through these as far as the desiredposition. When the apparatus is actuated, the tools, which are alignedin side by side disposition, are moved past one another, resulting inshearing of the profile stock. Owing to the fact that the cut-outs ofthe tools are shaped to correspond to the profile cross section, thecutting operation takes place without permanent deformation of theworkpiece. Another advantageous configuration is provided by cuttingedges formed on end faces, the end faces being opposite one another inthe direction of displacement, and the cutting edges extending in acurved manner in the direction of displacement. Cutting edges whichextend in a concave manner relative to the respective end face of a toolare preferred here, so that concentric cutting from the outside towardsthe center is effected, particularly in the case of workpieces which arecircular in cross section. Externally threaded sections which adjoin thecutting edges laterally and are aligned transversely to the direction ofdisplacement furthermore allow threaded rods to be cut to length. Forthis purpose, the tools are provided with semicircular recesses whichare open towards the opposite end faces and have an external threadextending in the transverse direction of the tool. To counteract skewingof the workpiece, e.g. a threaded rod, provision is made for one tool tohave a shell-shaped support on the side facing away from the cuttingedge, the shell being located at a spacing from and coaxial with theexternally threaded section. The support arrangement is preferablyeffected on the movable tool, a supporting shell which is in the form ofa half shell in plan view being chosen. In this arrangement, the shellis aligned counter to the associated externally threaded section, withthe radii being substantially the same.

The invention furthermore relates to a tool for securing in a mountinghead of a hydraulic apparatus. In this regard, a receiving member to besecured in the mounting head and a working part situated outside themounting head, such as a cutting jaw or a hole punch, are proposed forthe purpose of achieving a technically functional improvement of thesubject matter according to the invention. By virtue of thisconfiguration, operations to be carried out by means of the hydraulicapparatus can also be performed outside the region of the mounting head,and linear movements, in particular, can be transmitted in various waysto the working part by the receiving member on the mounting side. Thus,provision is made for the receiving member to comprise a fixed part anda moving part. The displacement of a ram or piston brought about bymeans of the apparatus leads to the moving part being taken along in themanner already described in the case of the tools or adaptors with toolsacting within the mounting head. In a configuration used by way ofexample, provision can be made for the moving part to be formed as apiston cooperating with a quantity of hydraulic fluid in the fixed part.As an alternative, provision can be made for the moving part to actdirectly or indirectly by way of linkages on a hydraulic piston. Themoving part can furthermore also act on the working part directly orindirectly by way of links or the like. It is furthermore proposed thatthe tool is a shears-type tool, thus for example a bolt cutter. Thus,provision is made for the fixed part to be connected to a fixed jaw ofthe shears-type tool. Another proposal in this regard is that the movingpart be connected to a pivoting jaw of the shears-type tool. Accordingto the invention, a preferred linear displacement of the moving partaccordingly leads by way of appropriately embodied and arrangedlinks/levers to a pivoting displacement of the pivoting jaw relative tothe fixed jaw. As an alternative, provision can be made for the tool tobe a hole punch. A device of this kind is known from DE-A1 196 49 932.The content of this patent application is incorporated into thedisclosure of the present invention, also for the purpose of includingfeatures of this patent application in claims of the present invention.It is additionally proposed that the moving part be formed as a cylinderaccommodated in the cylinder-like fixed part, thus for example ahydraulic piston.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for cutting by means of ahydraulic apparatus in which tools which can be moved against oneanother are accommodated in a mounting head. To obtain an improveddevelopment of such a method, it is proposed here that, as regards thecutting edges, the tools should be guided past one another in the courseof a cutting operation. The guidance of the tools past one another ispreferably effected until they reach a position in which—viewed in thedirection of displacement, the cutting edge on one tool lies behind thecutting edge of the other tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to theattached drawing, which represents merely a number of exemplaryembodiments. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 hows a hydraulic apparatus according to the invention, with amounting head for receiving tools, the apparatus being operated by meansof an electric motor;

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of a hydraulic apparatus in theform of a manually operated

FIG. 3 shows a perspective detail view of the mounting head in an openposition;

FIG. 4 shows another perspective view of the mounting had seen from therear;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the mounting head in open position,with various tools associatable with the mounting head, in the form ofcutting tools;

FIG. 5a shows another perspective view of the mounting head in openposition, with various adaptors associatable with the mounting head,together with tools in the form of pressing inserts;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the mounting head in operating position,with cutting tools arranged in the mounting head, in a first embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows the section according to the line VII—VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows the section according to the line VIII—VIII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows the section according to the line IX—IX in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows an enlargement of the region X—X in FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective detail view of the tools used in theembodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 10;

FIG. 12 shows a view corresponding to that of FIG. 6 but with themovable workpiece displaced fully forwards;

FIG. 13 shows a sectional view corresponding to that of FIG. 7, butrelating to the position according to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a partially sectioned side view of the mounting head withtools of a second embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows the section according to the line XV—XV in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows the section according to the line XVI—XVI in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective detail view of the tools used in theexemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 14 to 17;

FIG. 18 shows a partially sectioned view corresponding to that of FIG.14, with tools in a third embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows the section according to the line XIX—XIX in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 shows the section according to the line XX—XX in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 shows a perspective detail view of the tools used in theembodiment according to FIGS. 18 to 20;

FIG. 22 shows a side view of the mounting head, with tools of a fourthembodiment;

FIG. 23 shows the section according to the line XXIII—XXIII in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 shows another side view of the mounting head with tools in afifth embodiment;

FIG. 25 shows the section according to the line XXV—XXV in, FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 shows the mounting head in side view with tools in a sixthembodiment;

FIG. 27 shows the section according to the line XXVII—XXVII in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows another side view representation of the mounting head withtools of another embodiment;

FIG. 29 shows the section according to the line XXIX—XXIX in FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 shows a side view representation of the mounting head with toolsof an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 31 shows the section according to the line XXXI—XXXI in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 shows another side view representation of the mounting head withtools of another embodiment, in which working sections of the tools actoutside the mounting head;

FIG. 33 shows the section according to the line XXXIII—XXXIII in FIG.32;

FIG. 34 shows a perspective view of an alternative tool in a mountinghead, for forming a hole punch;

FIG. 35 shows the section according to the line XXXV—XXXV in FIG. 34,with the mounting head omitted;

FIG. 36 shows the view in the direction of the arrow XXXVI in FIG. 35.

DESCRIPTION

There is illustrated and described first and foremost with reference toFIG. 1, a hydraulic apparatus 1 in the form of a manual pressingapparatus, which is operated by electric motor. A pressing apparatus ofthis kind is known from the German Patent Application mentioned at theoutset with the file number 198 25 160.2. Attention is also drawn toGerman Patent Application 197 43 747. The content of this patentapplication also is hereby to be incorporated as to its full contentinto the disclosure of the present invention.

An electric motor is located in the apparatus 1. Drive of this electricmotor is effected by means of a battery 3 integrated into a handle 2.When a finger-actuatable switch 5 is actuated, oil is pumped out of areservoir into a pressure space, whereby a hydraulic cylinder 4 is movedin the direction of its working end position against the action of areturn spring.

The return movement of the hydraulic cylinder 4 is effected by a returnspring as soon as a return valve opens when a predetermined maximumpressure is exceeded.

The apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 is formed as a manually actuatedapparatus. The pressure required to displace the hydraulic cylinder 4 isaccordingly not built up by an electric motor but by manual actuationusing a pumping lever 6.

Irrespective of the form of the apparatus 1, it has a neck 7 whichsurrounds the hydraulic cylinder 4 and on which a mounting head 8 forreceiving tools W can be located. The arrangement of the mounting head 8on the neck 7 is preferably such that the mounting head 8 can be rotatedabout the axis of the neck.

As can be seen especially from FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting head 8 isformed substantially as a rectangular guide 9 which can be closed andopened and has a long side which is aligned in elongation of the pistonaxis and a narrow side, the length of which corresponds approximately tohalf the length of the longitudinal side of the rectangular guide 9.

The mounting head 8 or the rectangular guide 9 is of substantiallythree-piece form. One part is formed as an angled piece 10 whichincludes one longitudinal side and has a longitudinal-side piece 11, anarrow-side piece 12 extending at right angles to the piece 11, and alongitudinal-side portion 13 which runs parallel to thelongitudinal-side piece 11 but extends over only about half the lengthof the piece 11. Consequently, the angled piece 10 is U-shaped in sideview, with a longer limb—the longitudinal-side piece 11—and a shorterlimb—the longitudinal-side portion 13.

The second part of the rectangular guide 9 forms a longitudinal-sidepiece 14 with a width, measured transversely to the direction of extentof the rectangular guide 9, i.e. measured transversely to the pistonaxis, corresponding to that of the angled piece 10.

The third part of the rectangular guide 9 is formed as a secondnarrow-side piece 15, and, in the particular embodiment exampleillustrated, two narrow-side pieces 15 are provided, at a spacing fromone another. These pieces are connected to one another by a flange 16 ofcircular cross-section to enable the mounting head 8 to be located onthe neck 7. Both the longitudinal-side piece 14 and the angled piece 10are pivotably mounted in the space formed between the narrow-side pieces15.

For this purpose, the narrow-side pieces 15 and also a region of thelongitudinal-side piece 14 and the free end of the longer U-limb of theangled piece 10 are each penetrated by a pin 17, which is secured bycirclips 18 on the outer wall of the narrow-side pieces 15 against beingpulled out.

The longitudinal-side piece 14 of the rectangular guide 9 can be broughtinto overlap with the longitudinal-side portion 13 of the angled piece10, for which purpose the latter has a thickness correspondingapproximately to half the thickness of the longitudinal-side piece 14 inthe region of the joint. On its underside, the piece 14 has anopen-edged recess 19 which is associated with the longitudinal-sideportion 13, the length of this recess being somewhat greater than thelength of the longitudinal-side portion 13. The latter can beaccommodated fully in the recess 19 to form a side piece with a uniformthickness and width all the way along (in this connection see also FIG.6).

To fix the angled piece 10 or, more specifically, its longitudinal-sideportion 13 on the longitudinal-side piece 14, the longitudinal-sideportion 13 is provided on its upper side with an elongate projection 20,the front end region 21 of which, which faces the narrow-side piece 12,is undercut. This projection 20 enters a correspondingly shaped andaligned longitudinal slot 22 in the longitudinal-side piece 14, and thislongitudinal slot 22 also has an undercut end zone 23. In the closedposition according to FIG. 6, the angled piece 10 is thus held in apositive-locking manner by its projection 20 in the longitudinal slot 22of the longitudinal-side piece 14 and it therefore requires deliberateaction to effect opening of the mounting head 8.

The two pieces rotatably mounted between the narrow-side pieces15—angled piece 10 and longitudinal-side piece 14—are biassed in theopening direction. The relevant springs bear the reference numerals 24and 25.

In the embodiment example illustrated, two adjacently located grooves 26extending in the longitudinal direction of the mounting head 8, i.e.parallel to the piston axis, are furthermore machined into thelongitudinal-side pieces 11 and 14 and also into the longitudinal-sideportion 13 complementing the longitudinal-side piece 14 on the inside.These grooves extend over the entire length between the narrow-sidepieces 12 and 15.

Located between the two narrow-side pieces 15 is a slide 27, which is inconnection at the rear with the hydraulic cylinder 4. At the top andbottom, this slide 27 has respective raised tongues 28 for guiding it inone of the grooves 26. However, it is also conceivable to provide justone tongue 28, this being at the top or the bottom.

At the rear, facing the hydraulic cylinder 4, the hammer-head-like slide27 has a centrally located spigot 29 which sits in a correspondinglyformed central hole 30 in the hydraulic cylinder 4, the said holestarting from the end face. The spigot 29 is held captive in this hole30 in a positive-locking manner by a transverse pin 31.

Two securing means 32, each associated with the narrow sides, areprovided for the purpose of fixing the tools W in the mounting head 8or, more specifically in the rectangular guide 9. These securing meansare formed as positive-locking pins 33 which can be displacedtransversely to the direction of motion of the tools W and of thehydraulic cylinder 4 and, accordingly, likewise transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the mounting head 8 which is provided in theform of a rectangular guide 9.

One securing means 32 is located centrally on the narrow-side piece 12.The second securing means 32 is positioned on the displaceable slide 27.

As can be seen, in particular, from the sectional view in FIG. 10, thesecuring means 32 formed by a positive-locking pin 33 can be displacedagainst a spring 35 inserted into a stepped hole 34 in the narrow-sidepiece 12 (and in the slide 27). FIG. 7 shows the initial position of thesecuring means 32 for the positive fixing of the tool W. FIG. 10 showsthe securing means 32 after a displacement of the means in the directionof arrow r into a release position for the tool W.

The positive-locking pin 33 has sections of different diameter arrangedaxially one after the other; for instance, two positive-locking sections36 of larger diameter, adjoining which in the direction r ofdisplacement of the securing means 32 are release sections 37 of reduceddiameter. To facilitate actuation of the securing means 32, it isprovided at one end with a dish-like actuating plate 38.

The form of the fixing means 32 is furthermore chosen in such a way thatpositive-locking engagement with the tool W to be held can be achievedon both sides of the narrow-side piece 12 and the slide 27, i.e. on bothsides at the ends of the fixing means 32.

FIGS. 5 and 5a show the mounting head 8 held in the open position, withvarious pairs of tools W and pairs of adaptors A which can be associatedwith it, the latter being for receiving commercially available tools W′.The latter tools W′, which can be associated by means of adaptors A, arepreferably pressing tools. The tools W which can be located anddisplaced directly in the mounting head 8 are preferably provided ascutting tools.

FIGS. 6 to 13 show the arrangement of a first pair of cutting tools W.These cutting tools W are formed as identically shaped cutting jaws 39and are arranged in mirror symmetry in the mounting head 8.

As can be seen from the detail view of the two cutting jaws 39 shown inFIG. 11, these jaws have undercut cutting edges 41 extending, with aconcave curvature in the direction z of displacement, on the end faces40 which lie opposite one another in the direction z of displacement.

Unlike the configuration described previously, the cutting jaws 39 areguided in a mounting head 8 using just one groove 26 formed to be ofappropriate width, each cutting jaw 39 taking up half the width of thegroove when viewed transversely to the direction z of displacement,thereby allowing the cutting jaws 39 to move past one another.

Each cutting jaw 39 has two adjacent tongues 42, 43 extending in thedirection z of displacement of the tool W to form a tongue and groovearrangement, tongue 42 lying in groove 26, with the width of the tonguecorresponding approximately to half the width of the groove.

Tongue 43 overlaps the outwardly-located groove wall 44 formed by thegroove 26, having a tongue width which corresponds approximately to halfthe width of the tongue 42. As a result of this configuration, the toolsW—here the cutting jaws 39—are guided in a common groove 26 withadditional support on oppositely-located outer surfaces of groove walls44.

The tongues 42 and 43 extend over the entire length of the respectivecutting jaw 39, as viewed in the direction z of displacement, therespective free end face 40 being bevelled approximately at an angle of45°.

Each tool W—here cutting jaw 39—is held on the mounting head 8 or, moreprecisely on the narrow-side piece 12, on the one hand, and on the slide27, on the other hand, by means of a mounting lug 45. This mounting lug45 is in alignment with an outer surface 46 of the tool W, the tongues43 engaging over the groove wall 44 projecting beyond this outer surface46.

In the direction z of displacement of the tool W, each mounting lug 45projects beyond the rear boundary surface 47 of the tool and is hereformed centrally in terms of height. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated, the mounting lug 45 is formed integrally with the tool W.

The mounting lug 45 is formed fork-shaped, with a relatively smallinsertion opening 48 which changes into an enlarged central retainingopening 49.

The width of the insertion opening 48 is somewhat larger than thediameter of the release section 37 of the positive-locking pin 33. Theretaining opening 49 has a diameter which corresponds substantially tothat of the positive-locking section 36 of the positive-locking pin 33.

To put the apparatus 1 into operation with the tools W shown in FIGS. 6to 13, a tool W or cutting jaw 39 must be positioned such that itsmounting lug 45 enters into the region of the securing means 32. Bydisplacement of the positive-locking pin 33 in the direction of arrow r,insertion of the release section 37 into the retaining opening 49 isenabled by displacement of the cutting jaw 39. Release of thepositive-locking pin 33 by letting it go effects subsequent returndisplacement of the pin with spring assistance for positive engagementof the positive-locking section 36 in the retaining opening 49 of themounting lug 45. The cutting jaw 39 is then fixed in a positive-lockingmanner, both as regards the one cutting jaw 39 on the narrow-side piece12 and as regards the other cutting jaw 39 on the slide 27. In theregion of the positive-locking pin 33, the narrow-side piece 12 hasdepressions on both sides to accommodate the mounting lug 45.

By actuation of the apparatus 1, e.g. by pressing actuation of thebutton 5, the slide 27 is moved in the direction z of displacement bythe hydraulic cylinder 4, taking along the tool W associated withit—here the cutting jaw 39. In the course of the cutting operation, thecutting edges 41 of the tools W are guided past one another (cf. FIGS.12 and 13). During this cutting operation, force-dependent control ofthe apparatus 1 is effected.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show another exemplary embodiment of a cutting tool Wwith cutting jaws 50. As in the exemplary embodiments described above,these also are guided in a common groove 26 in the mounting head 8.

These cutting jaws 50 are likewise of identical form and arranged inmirror symmetry in the mounting head 8.

Each cutting jaw 50 or tool W has a tongue 42, the width of whichmeasured transversely to the direction z of displacement corresponds tothe width of the groove 26.

The working width of the tool is chosen to be less than the width of thetongue. In this specific case, a working width a chosen for the toolcorresponds approximately to half the width b of the tongue.

The arrangement is furthermore chosen in such a way that an outersurface 46 of the working portion of the tool W is flush with an outersurface of the tongue 42. Accordingly, the working region extendstransversely to the direction z of displacement as far as the center ofthe tongue 42.

To allow the cutting jaws 50 to move past one another in the direction zof displacement, the respective length of a tongue 42 measured in thedirection z of displacement is less than the total length of the tool Wor the cutting jaw 50. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, thetongue 42 starts from a rear boundary surface 47 and extends overapproximately half the total length of the tool W. In this manner,interpenetration of the cutting jaws 50 is enabled, the tongue sectionswhich project beyond the working width of the tool receiving the workingregion of the other tool W which projects in the direction z ofdisplacement.

By virtue of the configuration chosen, the tools W in this embodimentare guided on the outside by the groove walls 44.

A mounting lug 45 projecting relative to the outer surface 46 isassociated with each tool W, here each cutting jaw 50, which mountinglug 45 is, for example, connected to the cutting jaw 50 by riveting.

The arrangement and positive mounting of the cutting jaws 50 is effectedin the same way as in the previously described exemplary embodiment, bymeans of the displaceable positive-locking pins 33.

In FIGS. 18 to 21, there is shown another exemplary embodiment of toolsW in the form of cutting jaws 51, which are guided in two mutuallyadjacent grooves 26 in the mounting head 8.

The width of each cutting jaw 51 measured transversely to the directionz of displacement corresponds to half the spacing dimension between theoutwardly-disposed groove walls 44 of the mounting head 8. For guidancein an associated groove 26 each cutting jaw 51 has a tongue 42,accordingly two opposite-located tongues 42 to match each of theoppositely-located grooves 26. The tongue width is selectedcorrespondingly less than the total width of the tool W.

Here too, the cutting edges 41 are formed with a concave curvature withan undercut, an arrangement of the cutting edges 41 in the tonguelessregion of the cutting jaw 51 being chosen.

The cutting jaws 51 are supported at the outside by theoutwardly-disposed groove walls 44. Support on the inner side isprovided by the inner groove wall 52 separating the grooves 26.

The mounting lugs 45 used to fix the cutting jaws 51 are provided on theouter surface 46 as in the exemplary embodiment described above, being,for example, connected to the cutting jaws 51 by rivetting.

On actuation of the apparatus 1, the cutting jaw 51 that can beconnected in a positive-locking manner to the slide 17 can be moved pastthe fixed tool—here the cutting jaw 51 joined in a positive-lockingmanner to the narrow-side piece 12.

Irrespective of which of the three exemplary embodiments described aboveand shown in FIGS. 6 to 13, 14 to 17 or 18 to 21 is considered, thecutting plane E is located centrally with respect to the mounting head8, when viewed in the direction z of displacement, i.e. for aconstruction with a groove 26 at its center, and for an arrangement oftwo grooves 26 running alongside one another, centrally with respect tothe inner groove wall 52 separating them.

The path of displacement of the movable tool, i.e. the cutting jaw 39,50 or 51 associated with the slide 27, is furthermore always dimensionedin such a way that, in the maximum displacement position, its cuttingedge 41 lies behind the cutting edge 41 of the fixed cutting jaw 39, 50or 51 in the direction z of displacement. As mentioned, force-dependentcontrol of the apparatus is also effected during a cutting operation.Automatic stopping of the forward displacement of the hydraulic cylinder4 within the apparatus 1 and, in addition, automatic return travel ofthe piston together with the associated slide 27 and the tool W mountedon it into the initial position is effected by the movable cutting jawstriking, for example, against the narrow-side piece 12 carrying thefixed jaw, and the associated rise in the opposing force.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show, in another embodiment, tools W in the form ofprofile cutting jaws 53 for cutting to length elongate profiles, inparticular drawn profiles. Each cutting jaw 53 is formed substantiallyplate-shaped, with a length/height ratio of about 3:2, the longer sideextending in the direction z of displacement. The thickness of eachcutting jaw 53, measured transversely to the direction z ofdisplacement, corresponds to half the spacing between the outer groovewalls 44 bounding the two grooves 26 located alongside one another. Inthe installed situation, the outer surface 46 of each profile cuttingjaw 53 is aligned with the outer surfaces of the groove walls 44,according to FIGS. 22 and 23.

For the purpose of guiding the profile cutting jaws 53, these areprovided at the top and bottom with tongues 28 for guiding them in thegrooves 26 in the mounting head. The tongues 28 extend over the entirelength of each cutting jaw 53.

Mounting sections 45 projecting beyond the rear boundary surface 47 aresecured, in particular riveted, to the outer surface 46.

The two profile cutting jaws 53 forming a pair of tools have identicalcut-outs 54 which pass transversely through each cutting jaw 53 andcorrespond to the profile cross section of the workpiece to be cut tolength. Thus in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the cut-out 54chosen corresponds to an unclosed hollow profile of rectangular crosssection.

In the stop-limited initial position according to FIG. 22, the profilecutting jaws 53 are positioned in such a way relative to one anotherthat their cut-outs 54 coincide. In this position, the workpiece to becut to length can be pushed through the coinciding cut-outs 54.

Here, as in the exemplary embodiments described above, the cutting planeE lies centrally between the two outer groove walls 44, parallel to thedirection z of displacement, and is therefore situated centrally on theinner groove wall 52, which separates the two grooves 26 of the mountinghead 8 from one another.

By actuation of the apparatus 1, the cutting jaw 53 secured to the slide27 by the mounting lug 45 is displaced parallel to the fixed cutting jaw53 mounted on the narrow-side piece 12. There is thus effected asimultaneous parallel displacement of the cut-outs 54, which results incutting of the workpiece in the region of the cutting plane E. Thecross-sectional shape of the workpiece is always maintained by virtue ofthe fact that the boundary walls of the cut-outs are surrounded on allsides. No deformations occur in the region of the cutting plane E.

FIGS. 24 to 29 show various embodiments of adaptor arrangements in themounting head 8 for holding commercially available tools W′ to be usedwith known pressing devices, in particular pressing tools.

FIGS. 24 to 25 show a pair of adapters in the form of latch-in mounts55. At the top and bottom, these each have two tongues 42 guided in thegrooves 26 in the mounting head 8. The latch-in mount 55 extends beyondthe tongues 42 on both sides of the tongues 42, i.e. transversely to thedirection z of displacement, to form a respective projecting shoulder56, giving a total width of each latch-in mount 55 which corresponds tothat of the mounting head 8 and of each longitudinal-side piece 11 and14. The respective outer surface 46 of each latch-in mount 55 isaccordingly aligned with the associated outer surface of the mountinghead 8 or the rectangular guide 9.

Each latch-in mount 55 is provided with two oppositely-located mountinglugs 45. This results in a fork-shaped configuration of the mountingregion. The two mounting lugs 45 accommodate between them either thetapered mounting region of the narrow-side piece 12 or the slide 27.Both positive-locking sections 36 of each positive-locking pin 33 comeinto effect here in that each positive-locking section 36 enters in apositive-locking manner into the respectively associated retainingopening 49 of the mounting lug 45.

In terms of the plane in which they are located, the mounting lugs 45are arranged set back relative to the outer surface 46 of the latch-inmount 55, i.e. transversely to the direction z of displacement, becauseof the projecting shoulder 56 provided in each case.

To accommodate a tool W′—here a pressing tool—each latch-in mount 55 isprovided, on the end faces 57 which are disposed opposite one another inthe direction z of displacement, with cut-outs 58 which extend curved inthe direction z of displacement. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated, the cut-outs are formed to be of semi-circular shape in aside view in accordance with FIG. 24.

Before a transition to the remainder of the end surfaces 57, which runperpendicularly to the direction z of displacement, the end regions ofthe cut-outs are formed as inwardly-directed ribs 59 extendingtransversely to the direction z of displacement. According to theexemplary embodiment illustrated, these ribs 59 can extend over theentire width, measured transversely to the direction z of displacement,of each latch-in mount 55. However, it is also conceivable for theseribs 59 to be provided shortened at one end.

Tools W′ in the form of pressing jaws 60 formed to be correspondinglysemicircular can be inserted laterally, transversely to the direction zof displacement, into these cut-outs 58 provided with the ribs 59, thepressing jaws 60 having grooves 61, corresponding to the ribs 59. Byvirtue of this configuration, the commercially available pressing jaws60 are held in a positive-locking manner in the adaptors A.

For secure fixing of the pressing jaws 60 in the adaptors A, the latterhave a, preferably spring-supported, latching projection 62 in the rearregion of each cut-out 58, this projection entering into an associatedrear groove 63 in the associated pressing jaw 60 (compare in thisconnection FIG. 5a).

To cancel this latching and remove the pressing jaws 60, each adaptor Ahas on its outer surface 46 a finger-actuatable releasing device 64, bywhich a reverse displacement of the latching projection 62 is enabledwhen the pressing jaw 60 is pulled out laterally.

In FIGS. 26 and 27, there is shown another exemplary embodiment of anadaptor A, the latch-in mounts 65 of which are likewise provided withtwo oppositely-located mounting lugs 45, the outer surfaces of which arealigned with the outer surfaces 46 of the adaptor A. In addition, thislatch-in mount 65 is provided both at the top and at the bottom with twotongues 42 running parallel to one another as in the exemplaryembodiment described above.

Furthermore, this latch-in mount 65 also has a cut-out 66 which issemicircular in side view in accordance with FIG. 26 and the end regionsof which open into end-face stubs 67 extending perpendicularly to thedirection z of displacement.

These adaptors A serve to receive tools W′—here pressing tools 68—whichhave a semicircular contour formed to correspond to the cut-outs 66. Asin the exemplary embodiment described above, these pressing tools 68 areaccommodated fully in the cut-out section of the adaptor A, so that theend faces of the pressing tools 68 lying opposite one another in theinstallation position according to FIG. 26 are aligned with those of theadaptors A.

To fix the pressing tools 68 in the latch-in mounts 65, the pressingtools 68 are provided centrally at the rear with pins 69 aligned in orcounter to the direction z of displacement for entry into correspondingreceiving features 70 in the latch-in mounts 65. In this way, a kind ofcatch coupling is provided.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show an exemplary embodiment in which an adaptor A isused merely to guide and align a commercially available tool W. Here,each adaptor A is provided as a guide piece 71 with two tongues 42running parallel provided at the top and bottom. Each outer surface 46is flush with the associated tongue 42, and this adaptor A thus extendsbetween the groove walls 44 of the mounting head 8.

This guide piece 71 also has a cut-out 72 which is semicircular in sideview in accordance with FIG. 28 and opens into end-face stubs 73extending perpendicularly to the direction z of displacement.

The associated tool W′—here pressing tool 74—is formed fork-shaped, eachlimb of the fork being shaped as a mounting lug 45. The tool head 75 isshaped to correspond to the cut-out 72 of the adaptor A and,accordingly, lies in a positive-locking manner in this region.

The mounting lugs 45 overlap the adaptor A to fix adapter A and tool W′,the adaptor A being held captive between the tool W′ and the narrow-sidepiece 12 and, respectively, between the tool W′ and the slide 27. Thetool W′ is accordingly secured by engagement of the adaptor A over it.

Further embodiments of adaptors A for receiving tools W′ are furthermoreconceivable. Thus, FIG. 5a shows two further embodiments, in which, onthe one hand, a latch-in mount 76 provided with two mounting lugs 45located opposite to one another is provided in the region of a cut-outwith grooves extending in the direction z of displacement to receive atool W′ formed as a pressing tool 77 and having correspondingly alignedtongues to form a tongue and groove connection.

Adaptors A are furthermore shown in the form of latch-in mounts 78.These likewise have two tongues 42 at the top and bottom. The outersurfaces 46 of these adaptors A are aligned with those of the tongues42. Here, a mounting lug 45 is provided in each case, this lug engagingon the outer surface 46 and being connected, in particular riveted, tothe adaptor A.

In this exemplary embodiment, the latch-in mount 78 has projections inthe form of tongues extending in the direction z of displacement in theregion of a U-shaped cut-out open towards the oppositely-located adaptorA. These projections are received by correspondingly shaped grooves inthe tool W′ to be inserted—here a pressing tool 79.

In the representations of FIGS. 30 and 31, there is shown anotherembodiment of a tool W for cutting threaded rods.

The cutting jaws 89, which are each provided with a tongue 42 at the topand bottom, have a width, measured transversely to the direction z ofdisplacement, which corresponds approximately to twice the width of thetongues. The mutually facing end faces 40 extend substantially at rightangles to the outer surface 46.

Each tool W or cutting jaw 89 is provided with a recess 90 which widenstowards the respective end face 40. In a side view in accordance withFIG. 30, this recess 90 approximates to a triangle, the tip of which,which faces away from the other tool W, is rounded. More specifically,this tip region is of semicircular shape in plan view. The surfaces ofthe recess adjoin this tip region tangentially. The recess 90 passesthrough the tool W over its entire width.

The tip region is provided with a thread to form an externally threadedsection 91.

The side edges of the oppositely-located externally threaded sections91, which side edges lead past one another in the cutting plane E, formcutting edges 41.

At the side, the cutting jaw 89 to be connected to the slide 27 has anextension 92 which extends at right angles to the outer surface 46 andat the free end of which a shell-shaped support 93 is provided, thesupport being located at a spacing from the outer surface 46. In a sideview in accordance with FIG. 30, the support 93 has a semicircular shapewhich, in a projection onto the outer surface 46, represents acomplement to the semicircular externally threaded section 91.Accordingly, the shell of the support 93 is aligned coaxially with theexternally threaded section 91, with a semicircular opening which liesopposite that of the externally threaded section 91. As a result of thisconfiguration, cutting of threaded rods is enabled, the shell-shapedsupport 93 preventing the threaded rod from being pulled askew.

Moreover, in FIGS. 32 to 33, an arrangement is shown in which areceiving member 101 in the form of two adaptors is located in themounting head 8 for the arrangement and control of a working component102 in the form of tools W′ disposed outside the mounting head 8. Inthis exemplary embodiment, the pair of tools forms a shears-type tool100, in particular a bolt cutter 80.

The adaptors A each have a wide tongue 42 at the top and bottom to guidethem in a wide groove 26 formed in the mounting head 8 between twogroove walls 44. In this case, it would be perfectly conceivable to havea construction with two tongues 42 guided in two parallel grooves 26 asin the exemplary embodiments described above.

Each adaptor A has two oppositely-located mounting lugs 45 for forkedfixing on the narrow-side piece 12, on the one hand, and on the movableslide 27, on the other hand.

That adaptor A of the receiving member 101 which is associated with thenarrow-side piece 12 is formed as a fixed part 106 and projects on oneside from the region of the mounting head 8 to form a mounting section81 which extends in the direction z of displacement and projects freelyat the front beyond the free end of the mounting head 8. At its freeend, on the inner side facing the mounting head 8, the said mountingsection carries a fixed jaw 82 of the bolt cutter 8. The fixed jaw 82 isaccordingly substantially in extension of the mounting head 8, an endface 83 of the fixed jaw 82, the said end face facing the mounting head8, being at a spacing from the associated end face of the narrow-sidepiece 12 of the mounting head 8 in order to allow the receiving member101 to be pushed on and, finally, fixed by the positive-lockingengagement of securing means 32 and mounting lugs 45.

Pivoting jaw 85 of the shears type tool 100 is mounted movably on thefixed jaw 82 by means of a pin 84.

The tool is controlled by means of a link 86, which is secured at oneend to an arm 87 on the pivoting jaw, and at the other end, to thatadaptor A of the receiving member 101 which is fixed to the slide 27 andis formed as a moving part 103. This link 86 extends at the side of themounting head 8 and is mounted removably either in the region of themoving part 103 or in the region of the pivoting jaw 85 to allowmounting or removal of the adaptors A to be provided with the tool W′.

By actuation of the apparatus 1, this being associated with thedisplacement of the moving part 103 connected to the slide 27 in thedirection z of displacement, the pivoting jaw 85 is pivoted about itspin 84, with simultaneous closing of the mouth 88 of the shears.

The mounting lugs 45, in particular those of the adaptor A forming themoving part 103, can be omitted if automatic return of the bolt cutter80 is provided when reverse displacement of the hydraulic cylinder 4takes place. Thus, for example, a spring located in the region of thepivot 84 can load the cutting jaws of the bolt cutter 80 into the openposition, with the result that, when reverse displacement of thehydraulic cylinder 4 takes place, the downward-pivoting jaw 85 moves themoving part 103 back towards the hydraulic cylinder 4 in the samedirection by way of the link 86.

FIGS. 34 to 36 show another embodiment. Here, the mounting head 8 isprovided with tools W′ to form a hole punch 104.

Here too, a, moving part 103 is provided which can be moved on thehydraulic cylinder 4 in grooves 26 in the mounting head 8 by means ofmounting lugs 45 and which, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, isformed as a hollowed-out piston 105.

A fixed part 106 associated with the narrow-side piece 12 is provided—ifappropriate by way of mounting lugs—to complement the receiving member101 held in the mounting head 8, which fixed part 106 is provided in theexemplary embodiment illustrated in the manner of a hollow cylinder andserves to accommodate the piston 105 on the moving part.

Consequently, the piston 105 forming the moving part 103 is at leastpartially accommodated in the fixed part 106 and guided in it in thedirection z of displacement.

The fixed part 106 carries the actual hole-punching device, thealignment of the latter being selected perpendicular to the direction zof displacement and thus perpendicular to the direction of displacementof the piston 105.

The working part 102 aligned perpendicularly to the direction z ofdisplacement has a counter-holder 108 and an anchoring device 110, whichhas an internal thread, for securing a tie bolt 109.

The counter-holder part 108 can be moved relative to the anchoringdevice 110, i.e. is arranged in such a way that it can be extended. Theanchoring device 110, in contrast, is secured in a fixed manner to thefixed part 106, more specifically by means of a cylinder housing 111 fora hydraulic piston 112. The cylinder housing 111 has tongues 42 inaccordance with the exemplary embodiments described above.

To move the counter-holder 108, it is acted upon by the hydraulic piston112, which, for its part, is supported in its illustrated unactuatedposition on an underside of the fixed anchoring device 110 by means of acompression spring 113.

A quantity of hydraulic fluid is accommodated in the cavity—located onthe fixed-part side—of the holding element 101 for the purpose ofloading the hydraulic piston 112. The loading is effected by actuationof the apparatus 1, causing the moving part 103 formed as a piston 107to travel into the cavity and, in the process, displace the quantity ofhydraulic fluid through a side passage 114 aligned perpendicularly tothe direction z of displacement, for the purpose of loading the rearside of the hydraulic piston 112.

The counter-holder 108 is connected firmly to the hydraulic piston 112by means of retaining screws 115, the hydraulically induced displacementof the piston 112 thus resulting in an axial displacement of thecounter-holder 108. In the course of this axial displacement, thecounter-holder 108 or the tool carried by it passes over a counter-toolmounted on the tie bolt to punch holes in a metal sheet 116.

In this particular case, the configuration is chosen such that thecounter-holder 108 carries a first tool W′ and the hole punch 109carries a second tool W′, the cutting edges of which are guided past oneanother in the course of the cutting or punching operation.

As the hydraulic cylinder 4 moves back, reverse displacement of thepiston 105 back into the initial position is simultaneously effected bymeans of the compression spring 113 acting on the hydraulic piston 112.

The arrangement can furthermore also be chosen in such a way that thehole-punching device forming the working part 102 is aligned coaxiallywith the moving part 103 or piston 107, for example when the entiredevice is arranged to the side, outside the mounting head 8.

All features disclosed are pertinent to the invention. The disclosurecontent of the associated/attached priority documents (copy of the priorapplication) is herewith also incorporated as to its full content intothe disclosure of the application, also for the purpose of includingfeatures of these documents in claims of the present application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool configured to be secured in a mountinghead of a hydraulic pressing apparatus, the mounting head including agroove, the tool being displaceable within the mounting head along thegroove in a direction of displacement, said tool comprising a tongue anda lug, both of which extend in the direction of displacement of thetool, the tongue being configured to lay in use in the groove of themounting head, said lug defining a retaining opening at an end of thetool, said retaining opening configured for securable engagement withthe mounting head.
 2. An adapter for receiving a tool configured to besecured in a mounting head of a hydraulic pressing apparatus, themounting head including a groove, the adapter being displaceable withinthe mounting head along the groove in a direction of displacement, saidadapter comprising a tongue and a lug, both of which extend in thedirection of displacement of the adapter, the tongue being configured tolay in use in the groove of the mounting head, said lug defining aretaining opening at an end of the adapter, said retaining openingconfigured for securable engagement with the mounting head.
 3. Anadapter according to claim 2, wherein said adapter includes a bodyportion having an exterior surface each of said tongues having anexterior surface, wherein the outer surface of the adapter is flush withthe outer surface of each tongue.
 4. A set of tools configured to besecured in a mounting head of a hydraulic pressing apparatus, said setof tools including a first tool and a second tool, the mounting headincluding a groove, the first tool being displaceable within themounting head along the groove in a direction of displacement, saidfirst tool comprising a tongue and a lug, both of which extend in thedirection of displacement of the first tool, the tongue being configuredto lay in use in the groove of the mounting head, said first toolincluding a body portion, wherein said tongue extends from said bodyportion, said tongue having a length measured in the direction ofdisplacement of the first tool and said first tool having a lengthmeasured in the direction of displacement of the first tool, wherein thelength of the tongue is less than the length of the first tool, whereinthe first tool and second tool are configured to be arranged in mirrorsymmetry in the mounting head.
 5. A set of tools as recited in claim 4,wherein each of said first and second tools include tongue sectionswhich extend beyond a working width of the tool.
 6. A tool configured tobe secured in a mounting head of a hydraulic pressing apparatus, themounting head including a groove, the tool being displaceable within themounting head along the groove in a direction of displacement, said toolcomprising a tongue and a lug, both of which extend in the direction ofdisplacement of the tool, the tongue being configured to lay in use inthe groove of the mounting head, said tool including a body portion,wherein said tongue extends from said body portion, said tongue having alength measured in the direction of displacement of the tool and saidtool having a length measured in the direction of displacement of thetool, wherein the length of the tongue is less than the length of thetool, wherein the tool includes a tongue section which extends beyond aworking width of the tool.
 7. A tool configured to be secured in amounting head of a hydraulic pressing apparatus, the mounting headincluding a groove, the tool being displaceable within the mounting headalong the groove in a direction of displacement, said tool comprising atongue and a lug, both of which extend in the direction of displacementof the tool, the tongue being configured to lay in use in the groove ofthe mounting head, said tool including a body portion, wherein saidtongue extends from said body portion, said tongue having a lengthmeasured in the direction of displacement of the tool and said toolhaving a length measured in the direction of displacement of the tool,wherein the length of the tongue is less than the length of the tool,wherein an outer surface of a working portion of the tool is flush withan outer surface of the tongue.